Changing from indoor training pads to pooping outdoors

We just adopted two Shih Tzus, ages 5 and 3. They have been raised in a condo and never got to play outside or even "go" outside. Instead they were taught to go on "training pads.

Since adopting them last week, they have had the run of the yard and sometimes they use it instead of the pee pads, so they're starting to catch on to what other dogs do naturally. We still have the pads in two places in the house, and they also use them. Sometimes they do it on the carpet. How do we get them to use only the great outdoors when they need to do their duty?

We are new members and just ordered Secrets To Dog Training and the DVDs. Should we just wait for them to arrive, or can we attack this problem in the meantime? The dogs have bonded to us well and we haven't attempted any training yet, since we want to start out doing things right.

I am not an expert by any means but I have owned dogs for 45 years.I think that if you just keep praising them for going outside they will eventually catch on that going outside is what you want them to do.The book will tell you to be persistant and it should get you the results you want.

it also helps to take them outside within 10-20 minutes after they had their food, after they have been sleeping and after a play session. That way you avoid accidents in the house once you remove the pee pads. I'm sure your dogs will love being outside and discovering all the smells and sights of the big wide world.

Hi and thanks for your post. Good to hear that your dogs are already doing better.

As a general overview to supplement what has already been posted: I recommend picking a particular area of the lawn where you want the dogs to toilet and where they have access to while you are at work, they may already have an area they use. Once you have an area its time to start re-toilet training. Take your dogs out to the toilet spot as soon as they wake up in the morning, after every feeding and before bed as these are the most likely times a dog will need to go to the toilet. Also put them outside in the toilet area every hour while they are inside the house with you during the day. Praise them for toileting in the area everytime you seem them use it. You can even consider pairing a word with toilet for example when you put them out after a meal and they toilet say the phrase you want them to know such as "poos and wees" and then when they go say "good dog" very enthusiastically. Once they pick this up you can use it to tell them to go to the toilet which can be useful if you need them to go to the toilet before you take them in the car or if your vet needs a urine sample.

Also remember that dogs love to go to the toilet while out exercising and this can really help with reducing accidents inside as well as providing the normal benefits of exercise.

Thanks so much. The pups have regressed a little, thanks to an unexpected nine inches of snow the last two days. Your specifics will help us a lot. We weren't sure how to complete the transition without putting our carpet in danger.